The lore of Southern Utah has it that a little man named Kokopelli used to travel the villages long ago. He carried a bag of corn seed on his back, and taught the people to plant corn.

At night, while the people slept, Kokopelli roamed the corn fields, playing his flute. The next morning villagers would arise to find the corn four feet tall and Kokopelli vanished. Also many of the young women of the village would be pregnant.

Drawings of Kokopelli, also known as the Anasazi Casanova, decorate rock panels throughout southeastern Utah. The Sand Island Rock Art Panel has a special claim to fame: five Kokopelli figures. The Navajos of Monument Valley can show you a unique Kokopelli petroglyph: He’s lying on the ground, playing his flute. Both Kokopelli sites are close to camping areas where you can stop for a good night’s sleep. But if, during the night, you hear the gentle tones of the flute, you’d better lock up your wives and daughters.